Exhaust webbing for an agricultural implement tank

ABSTRACT

A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/737,893, entitled “EXHAUST WEBBING FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTTANK,” filed Jan. 9, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to ground working equipment, such asagricultural equipment, and more specifically, to exhaust webbing for anagricultural implement tank.

Generally, planting implements (e.g., planters) are towed behind atractor or other work vehicle via a mounting bracket secured to a rigidframe of the implement. These planting implements typically includemultiple row units distributed across the width of the implement. Eachrow unit is configured to deposit seeds at a desired depth beneath thesoil surface, thereby establishing rows of planted seeds. For example,each row unit may include a ground engaging tool or opener (e.g., anopener disc) that forms a seeding path for seed deposition into thesoil. In certain configurations, a gauge wheel is positioned a verticaldistance above the opener to establish a desired trench depth for seeddeposition into the soil. As the implement travels across a field, theopener excavates a trench into the soil, and seeds are deposited intothe trench. In certain row units, the opener is followed by a packerwheel that packs the soil on top of the deposited seeds.

Certain planting implements include a central seed tank, and a pneumaticdistribution system configured to convey seeds from the tank to each rowunit. For example, the pneumatic distribution system may include aninductor box positioned beneath the seed tank. The inductor box isconfigured to receive seeds from the tank, to fluidize the seeds into anair/seed mixture, and to distribute the air/seed mixture to the rowunits via a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits. Each row unit, in turn,receives the seeds from the pneumatic hoses/conduits, and directs theseeds to a metering system. The metering system is configured to providea flow of seeds to a seed tube for deposition into the soil. Byoperating the metering system at a particular speed, a desired seedspacing may be established as the implement traverses a field.

The central seed tank may exhaust the seeds from the seed tank to theinductor box through an exhaust opening. As the seeds are exhausted, theweight of the seeds may apply an undesirably large pressure on theinductor box, thereby reducing the efficiency of the air/seedfluidization process. In addition, a large exhaust opening may reducethe structural rigidity of the tank, thereby increasing the difficultyof implement manufacturing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimedinvention are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended tolimit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather these embodimentsare intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of theinvention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of forms thatmay be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In a first embodiment, a seed tank assembly for an agriculturalimplement includes an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds fromthe seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across theexhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least onewebbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the atleast one webbing is configured to provide structural support to theseed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor boxpositioned beneath the exhaust opening.

In a second embodiment, an agricultural implement includes a seed tankassembly for the agricultural implement. The seed tank assembly includesan exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tankassembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaustopening forming a plurality of apertures, and the at least one webbingis integrally molded into the seed tank assembly. The agriculturalimplement further includes an inductor box coupled to the seed tankassembly and configured to receive seeds from the seed tank assembly.The at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support tothe seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into theinductor box.

In a third embodiment, an agricultural implement includes a seed tankassembly for the agricultural implement. The seed tank assembly includesan exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tankassembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaustopening forming a plurality of apertures, and the at least one webbingis integrally molded into the seed tank assembly. The agriculturalimplement further includes a pneumatic distribution system coupled tothe seed tank assembly configured to pneumatically distribute seedsthroughout the agricultural implement. The at least one webbing isconfigured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly andto reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box of the pneumaticdistribution system.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement configured to deposit seeds into a soil surface;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a seed tank, showing anexhaust opening and a webbing across the exhaust opening.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the seed tank of FIG. 2,showing the seed tank interfacing with an inductor box.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the seed tank of FIG. 2, showingexhaust opening and webbing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Anyexamples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are notexclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a central seedtank for a planting implement. The seed tank may be used to supply aplanting implement with 24 rows, for example. Thus the seed tank may beof substantial size (e.g., about 3 feet tall and 6 feet across and holdapproximately 3.5 tons of seeds). Seeds in the seed tank are exhaustedfrom the seed tank through an exhaust opening. The seed tank may is alsoconfigured to interface with a pneumatic distribution system, andspecifically an inductor box. An undesirably large pressure may beplaced on the inductor box due to the weight of the seeds in the seedtank, which may reduce the efficiency of the pneumatic distributionsystem.

Accordingly, one disclosed embodiment provides a seed tank assemblyconfigured to store seeds for an agricultural implement. The seed tankassembly includes an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds fromthe seed tank assembly, and at least one webbing extending across theexhaust opening forming at least two apertures. The webbing isintegrally molded into the seed tank assembly. In addition, the webbingis configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assemblyand to reduce seed head pressure in an inductor box positioned beneaththe exhaust opening. The additional structural support provided by thewebbing increases the rigidity of the tank, thereby facilitating theimplement assembly process. In addition, the reduced head pressureprovided by the webbing may enhance the efficiency of the inductor boxby providing a desired flow of seed and/or increase the longevity of theinductor box.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement 10 configured to deposit seeds into a soil surface. In theillustrated embodiment, the implement 10 is configured to be towed alonga direction of travel 12 by a work vehicle, such as a tractor or otherprime mover. The work vehicle may be coupled to the implement 10 by ahitch assembly 14. As illustrated, the hitch assembly 14 is coupled to amain frame assembly 16 of the implement 10 to facilitate towing of theimplement 10 in the direction of travel 12. In the illustratedembodiment, the frame assembly 16 is coupled to a tool bar 18 thatsupports multiple row units 20. Each row unit 20 is configured todeposit seeds at a desired depth beneath the soil surface, therebyestablishing rows of planted seeds. The implement 10 also includes seedtanks 22, and a pneumatic distribution system configured to convey seedsfrom the tanks to the row units 20. In certain embodiments, thepneumatic distribution system includes an inductor box positionedbeneath each seed tank 22. Each inductor box is configured to receiveseeds from a respective tank, to fluidize the seeds into an air/seedmixture, and to distribute the air/seed mixture to the row units 20 via,a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits.

In certain embodiments, each row unit 20 includes a residue manager, anopening assembly, a seed tube, closing discs, and a press wheel. Theresidue manager includes a rotating wheel having multiple tillage pointsor fingers that break up crop residue, thereby preparing the soil forseed deposition. The opening assembly includes a gauge wheel and anopener disc. The gauge wheel may be positioned a vertical distance abovethe opener disc to establish a desired trench depth for seed depositioninto the soil. As the row unit travels across a field, the opener discexcavates a trench into the soil for seed deposition. The seed tube,which may be positioned behind the opening assembly, directs a seed froma metering system into the excavated trench. The closing discs thendirect the excavated soil into the trench to cover the planted seed.Finally, the press wheel packs the soil on top of the seed with adesired pressure.

While the illustrated implement 10 includes 24 row units 20, it shouldbe appreciated that alternative implements may include more or fewer rowunits 20. For example, certain implements 10 may include 6, 8, 12, 16,24, 32, or 36 row units, or more. In addition, the spacing between rowunits may be particularly selected based on the type of crop beingplanting. For example, the row units may be spaced 30 inches from oneanother for planting corn, and 15 inches from one another for plantingsoy beans.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a seed tank 22, showing anexhaust opening 24 and a webbing 26 across the exhaust opening 24. Asdescribed above, the seed tank 22 may be configured to store seeds forthe agricultural implement 10. For example, the seed tank 22 may beabout 3 feet tall, about 6 feet wide, and configured to store about 3.5tons of seeds. The seed tank 22 may be molded from a single piece ofpolyethylene (e.g. via a rotational molding process). However, it shouldbe appreciated that the seed tank body 22 may be molded from other typesof thermoplastics or thermosets, such as polypropylene, polystyrene,polyvinyl chloride, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

In addition, the seed tank 22 includes an exhaust opening 24 configuredto exhaust seeds from the seed tank 22. In the depicted embodiment, theexhaust opening 24 is rectangular with a webbing 26 that extends acrossthe exhaust opening 24 to form apertures 28. The rectangular shape ofthe exhaust opening 24 facilitates interfacing with the pneumaticdistribution system, and in some embodiments, the inductor box. Thewebbing 26 across the exhaust opening 24 may be configured to providestructural support to the seed tank 22. In some embodiments, the webbing26 may be about 20 mm to about 30 mm, about 30 mm to about 40 mm, orabout 40 mm to about 50 mm. Because the seed tank 22 may be formed froma resilient material such as polyethylene and the exhaust opening 24 maybe of substantial size, the seed tank 22, especially the exhaust opening24, may deform during handling, thereby increasing the difficultyassociated with the manufacturing process. In the illustratedembodiment, the webbing 26, which extends across the exhaust opening 24,provides additional structural support to the seed tank 22, therebysubstantially reducing deformation of the tank, and facilitating themanufacturing process.

The depicted seed tank 22 also includes molded ribs 30 configured toprovide additional structural rigidity to the seed tank 22, and a tanklid 32 configured to facilitate filling the seed tank 22 with seeds. Theexhaust opening 24 is configured to interface with a pneumaticdistribution system, and specifically an inductor box.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the seed tank of FIG. 2,showing the seed tank interfacing with the inductor box 32. The webbing26 is configured to reduce seed head pressure to the inductor box 32 byrestricting the flow of seeds. As previously discussed, seeds flow fromthe seed tank 22 to the inductor box 32 via the apertures 28, whichcollectively have a smaller surface area than an unrestricted exhaustopening 24. The smaller flow area reduces seed head pressure on theinductor box 32, thereby increasing the longevity of the inductor boxcomponents. As described above, the inductor box 32 may be coupled tothe bottom of the seed tank 22 along the exhaust opening 24. Theinductor box 32 is configured to receive seeds from the seed tank 22 inorder to pneumatically distribute the seeds to the row units 20. Asdepicted, the exhaust opening 24 interfaces with the rectangularinductor box 32. Because the flow of seeds is restricted by the webbing26, the inductor box 32 may distribute seeds more efficiently than aninductor box 32 that receives seeds from an unrestricted exhaust opening24.

In addition, the depicted inductor box 32 includes air bypass channels34. If the exhaust opening 24 is one continuous opening, seeds may restdirectly on the air bypass channels 34. As described above, the weightof the seeds in the seed tank 22 may be substantial (e.g., about 3.5tons when full). Accordingly, the seeds may pack on the channels 34,thereby causing plugging and/or bridging, and interfering with the flowof seeds into the inductor box 32. In the illustrated embodiment, thewebbing 26 is configured to guide the flow through the apertures 28 andaround the air bypass channels 26. For example, in the depictedembodiment, each web is located directly above a respective air bypasschannels 34. Accordingly, as the seeds are exhausted from the seed tank22 through the apertures 28, gravity carries the majority of the seedsstraight down, thereby avoiding the air bypass channels 26. Thus, thewebbing 26 may facilitate the flow of seeds from the seed tank 22 to theinductor box 32 by reducing the plugging and/or bridging that mayotherwise occur. The distance between the air bypass channels 34 andeach web may be selected to adjust the amount of seeds that pass betweenthe air bypass channels 26.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the seed tank of FIG. 2, showingthe exhaust opening 24 and webbing 26. In the depicted embodiment, thewebbing 26 is incorporated into the seed tank 22. In other words, thewebbing 26 is integrally molded into the seed tank 22. Accordingly, thewebbing 26 described herein may reduce the part count of the tankassembly, as compared to tanks having a separate grate. With a reductionin hardware components, the assembly complexity may also be reduced. Incertain embodiments, each web may be cut into the seed tank 22 duringmanufacturing.

In addition, each depicted web is curved. In addition, the seed tank 22may be better suited to reduce plugging and bridging of seeds because ofthe ability of the webbing 26 to agitate the seeds. The resilient natureof the seed tank 22 and the curved shape of the webbing 26 mayfacilitate agitation of seeds as the air pressure varies within the seedtank 22. As described above, the pneumatic distribution system,including the inductor box 32, may be configured to pneumaticallydistribute seeds throughout the agricultural implement 10. Accordingly,the pneumatic distribution system may be configured to circulate airthrough the seed tank 22. As the air circulates, it may cause the seedtank 22 to flex outwardly due to the added internal pressure from thecirculating air. When the seed tank 22 flexes outwardly, it may causethe curved webs to flatten. The movement of the webs may agitate theseeds in the seed tank 22, thereby reducing seed packing and dislodgingany plugging or bridging. In some embodiments, each web may move 1 mm todislodge the seeds. In other embodiments, each web may be configures tomove between about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, about 1 mm to about 3 mm, about3 mm to about 5 mm, or greater than 5 mm. Thus, the webbing 26 may actas a natural agitator to reduce plugging and bridging across the exhaustopening 24.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for forming an agriculturalimplement, comprising: forming a seed tank housing configured to storeseeds; and forming an exhaust opening in the seed tank housing with oneor more webbings that extend across the exhaust opening to form aplurality of apertures, wherein the exhaust opening is configured tofacilitate exhaust of the seeds from the seed tank housing downwardlythrough the plurality of apertures via gravity, each of the one or morewebbings is integrally molded into the seed tank housing, and each ofthe one or more webbings is configured to: provide structural support tothe seed tank housing; reduce seed head pressure into an inductor boxpositioned beneath the exhaust opening; and flex in response topressurization of the seed tank housing to dislodge seeds on an uppersurface of the one or more webbings.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereineach of the one or more webbings is configured to transition from acurved configuration to a flattened configuration in response topressurization of the seed tank housing.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of apertures is substantially rectangular.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the exhaust opening is formed on adownward facing surface of a bottom portion of the seed tank housing. 5.The method of claim 1, comprising coupling the seed tank housingdirectly to the inductor box such that: the exhaust opening is positiondirectly above the inductor box; and each of the one or more webbings ispositioned directly above an air bypass channel of the inductor box,wherein the one or more webbings are configured to guide the seedsthrough openings between adjacent air bypass channels.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein forming an exhaust opening comprises trimming materialfrom the seed tank housing to form the plurality of apertures leavingbetween 30 mm to 40 mm of material between each of the pluralityapertures.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the seed tankhousing comprises a rotational molding process.
 8. A method for formingan agricultural implement, comprising: forming a seed tank housingconfigured to store seeds, wherein the seed tank housing is coupleddirectly to and positioned directly above an inductor box; forming afirst aperture in a downward facing surface of a bottom portion of theseed tank housing, wherein the first aperture is configured to enablethe seeds to exhaust from the seed tank housing downwardly through thefirst aperture via gravity; and forming a second aperture in thedownward facing surface of the bottom portion of the seed tank housingsuch that a first webbing is formed between the first aperture and thesecond aperture, wherein the second aperture is configured to enable theseeds to exhaust from the seed tank housing downwardly through thesecond aperture via gravity; wherein the first webbing is configured toprovide structural support to the seed tank housing, and to flex inresponse to pressurization of the seed tank housing to dislodge seeds onan upper surface of the first webbing.
 9. The method of claim 8,comprising: forming a third aperture in the downward facing surface ofthe bottom portion of the seed tank housing such that a second webbingis formed between the third aperture and the second aperture, whereinthe third aperture is configured to enable the seeds to exhaust from theseed tank housing through the third aperture via gravity; wherein thesecond webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seedtank housing, and to flex in response to pressurization of the seed tankhousing to dislodge seeds on an upper surface of the second webbing. 10.The method of claim 8, wherein the first webbing is configured totransition from a curved configuration to a flattened configuration inresponse to pressurization of the seed tank housing.
 11. The method ofclaim 8, wherein: forming the first aperture comprises forming a firstsubstantially rectangular opening in the seed tank housing; and formingthe second aperture comprises forming a second substantially rectangularopening in the seed tank housing.
 12. The method of claim 8, comprisingcoupling the seed tank housing directly to the inductor box such that:the first aperture and the second aperture are positioned directly abovethe inductor box; and the first webbing is positioned directly above anair bypass channel of the inductor box.
 13. The method of claim 8,wherein forming the first aperture and forming the second aperturecomprises trimming material from the seed tank housing such that thefirst webbing is between 30 mm to 40 mm.
 14. The method of claim 8,wherein forming the seed tank housing comprises a rotational moldingprocess.